Mather, William W.; First Annual Report on the Geological Survey of Ohio. Columbus, Samuel Medary, 1838. Octavo, pp. 129, folded plate of profiles.

The work is complete and in a recent calf over cloth with a gilt spine title. The binding is tight and very clean, the text and plate is lightly foxed. In very good condition.

FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ITEMS

 An American geologist; Mather ( 1804-1859) was one of America's first true field geologists. He received his scientific training in both physics and geology at West Point Military Academy during the tenure of Superintendent Sylvanus Thayer. He taught the Academy's first mineralogy-geology course using Cleaveland's "Treatise on Mineralogy" and then joined the New York Survey as its first true scientist. In 1837 he was also appointed as the first Director of the Ohio Geological Survey (1837-1839). In 1847 Mather became president of the University of Ohio. In both his New York and Ohio appointments, Mather achieved an amazing success. In both jobs he hired vital assistants familiar with the area and may have been the first American geologist to interview older residents to accurately determine, stream, river and coastal sea levels during that persons youth. As with Ebenezer Emmons, Mather always acknowledged these individuals in print. 
During his long career Mather made copious notes regarding his geological explorations, published profusely, and had a lively and extensive correspondence with both geologists and property owners where he was doing field work. Much of this correspondence is preserved and remains accessible to this day. 
His four assistants for the Ohio survey were Hildreth, Kirtland, Briggs, and Whittlesey.
This copy of his survey of Ohio is inscribed to Featherstonhauph by C. Biggs, an assistant geologist to Mather. An English geologist, farmer and businessman; Featherstonhaugh (1780-1866) lived and travelled extensively in the northern and western interior of America between 1806-1839 recording his geological observations. During this time he also maintained a very successful farm in New York State, and established one of the first railroads in America; the Albany & Hudson Railroad. As a scientist he also founded the short lived "Monthly American Journal of Geology and Natural Science" and lobbied for the establishment of an American Geological Survey and during this time made several surveys as the first appointed "United States Geologist".